Bit off track--Had two experiences with NC State Cops when I worked there--but lived in VA. First one stopped me for speeding. I explained to him that his radar actually picked up a car on his side of a divided highway, not me. Explained radar works on best opportunity, unless it's track while scan. Asked me how I knew, told him what I had done in the military. Chatted for a while and was on my way. Good guy. Thanked me for my service and the lesson on radar bandwidth expansion. Had my P-90 with me and we agreed on Rugers being built like tanks.
2nd was this arrogant, black guy who had a reputation in the local area as a pos and racist--although I don't feel that was evident, at least with me, but his arrogance was. I attribute it to dealing with the locals who are not well educated or articulate, as it is tobacco farming area primarily, and hence easy to bully by authority. Claimed I was doing 65 in a 45. I was doing 60 in a 55. Had this attitude about my TX plates even after I explained I was in the process of moving and worked locally. Said give me the ticket, and I'll see you in court after I got tired of his BS. Got him on the witness stand and started to cut him in bitesized pieces. Judge said to approach, with the DA. Told us to work something out in the back room, as the audience was enjoying my performance too much. Others may have gotten--the mistaken, idea that justice existed in a traffic court. DA asked what I wanted. I said I was doing 60 in a 55--wasn't going to lie. He grabbed it and thanked me. 5 over was $25 plus costs, of course, but I don't lie under oath, so paid the fine, no points. My take on this is: same agency, purportedly same training at the academy; two cops from complete opposite spectra in LE with respect to professionalism. Both patroling roughly the same area. Not unique to NC of course, but I found it instructive.
